You are one of the special guests at the 40th Fajr Music Festival in Iran. What are your thoughts on participating in this event?

First of all, I would like to thank you for the invitation. Participating in this festival is a great honor for me. I appreciate your choice, and I am happy to have the opportunity to present my national music within the framework of this festival.

 

Have you ever performed live in Iran? If yes, how do you evaluate those performances?

I have performed twice in Iran for both Armenian and Iranian audiences. We had very beautiful concerts, and everything was memorable.

 

What pieces have you chosen for your performance at this festival, and do you have any special program for the Iranian audience?

In this concert, I will perform medieval music, folk music, and works of Ashiks, and I will introduce Armenian wind instruments such as the duduk, blul, shvi, and tav shvi. I will also perform a piece with the piano. Given the long-standing friendship between Armenians and Iranians, I couldn’t overlook the rich Iranian music, so I will include a piece of Iranian fantasy music for the Iranian audience. In this program, Armen Asatryan, a talented Iranian-Armenian musician and composer, will accompany me.

 

Besides your proficiency in Armenian wind instruments, you are also a pianist. How have you managed to balance these two fields?

Many people are surprised by the variety of styles in my work, but I have been able to combine these two worlds. I have a classical education and graduated from the piano department, and my love for national music comes from my parents, who are also musicians.

 

Your performances combine Armenian traditional music and jazz improvisation. How did this fusion style come about, and what challenges does it present?

During my studies, I explored jazz and was able to create various combinations. I managed to blend national music with jazz, and my teacher, Professor Tsovak Hambardzumyan, a renowned composer and jazz musician, played a significant role in this development.

 

You have collaborated with several orchestras, including the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia. What challenges does conducting a modern folk orchestra present compared to performing as a soloist?

When you perform as a soloist, you are only responsible for yourself, but when you conduct a full orchestra (in my case, the modern folk orchestra of the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia), the responsibility increases tenfold. I also want to mention that I conduct two children’s orchestras at the Stepan Jerbashian Music School, which has won the Grand Prize in regional competitions for five consecutive years.

 

You have performed in numerous countries, including the United States, Canada, Italy, France, and Germany. How has performing Armenian folk music in these countries been?

Performing in front of a foreign audience naturally brings me a great sense of pride, as I can take my national music and instruments beyond my borders and share them with international audiences. The warm response from the audience always reciprocates this feeling.

 

What is the status of Armenian folk music on the international stage, and how can it be further promoted to the world?

You can hear Armenian motifs in the soundtracks of films worldwide. For example, in the movie Gladiator, the sound of the Armenian duduk, played by the world-renowned duduk player Jivan Gasparyan, is featured. Additionally, works by famous Armenian composers, such as Aram Khachaturian’s Sword Dance, are performed on the world’s most prestigious stages.

I have had more than 30 solo concerts worldwide, and I have collaborated with various singers. Furthermore, I have performed over a thousand concerts with the Shoghak and Tegzar state ensembles.

 

In 2009, you held a lecture and concert at the University of Tartu in Estonia. How did this experience influence your perspective on music and its teaching?

It was another opportunity to promote Armenian national music, and I am very happy to have had that experience.

 

You have over 20 recorded works in the archive of Public Radio of Armenia. Do you have plans to release new works or another album?

More than 50 works have been released so far, and this collection is continuously expanding.

 

You have also been involved in film music. How did you enter this field, and which cinematic project has been the most challenging for you?

After becoming acquainted with my works, the famous German director Chiligaryan invited me to compose music for his films. These films have won first prizes at various global festivals. So, I can say that I am the composer of five film scores, one for a Canadian film and four for Armenian productions.

Taking this opportunity, I’d like to mention that my first collaboration offer came from Iran, and I played in the Iranian film Miss Maria, directed by Shahriar Bahrani.

 

What is the difference between composing for film and live performances, and which is more appealing to you?

Generally speaking, performing a melody and composing for a film are two entirely different phenomena. When performing, I express what I feel and imagine through music, but when composing for a film, I have to pay attention to the subject of the film and the changes in the scenes. At the same time, I present it with my interpretation and artistic signature.

 

In the spring of 2012, you received the title of Distinguished Artist of the Republic of Armenia. How did this recognition impact your career?

For any artist, receiving a state award is a great honor, and it is gratifying to receive such recognition.

 

Do you have any upcoming projects that you can share details about?

In the near future, we have a major project where I will try to combine shadow dances with my melodies and many examples of national music, performed live by an orchestra.

 

As an experienced musician and composer, what advice would you give to young musicians interested in learning folk music?

They should study, preserve, and promote their national music as much as possible.

 

Finally, if you could send a special message to your Iranian audience, what would it be?

Once again, I would like to thank the Fajr Music Festival for the invitation. I want to remind you that I deeply appreciate the centuries-old Armenian-Iranian friendship. I also look forward to attending performances and enjoying the music of Iranian artists in Armenia.